LAPD To Cut Ties To Boy Scout Group

The Los Angeles Police Department wants to end its relationship with the group that runs its youth Explorer program because its Boy Scouts parent organization denies access to gays.

The organization, Learning for Life, was spun off from Boy Scouts of America. A department official told the Police Commission Tuesday that the Boy Scouts policy is "inconsistent" with the city's policy of non-discrimination. He suggested that the department manages the Explorer program itself. Learning for Life officials say the organization does not discriminate and does not take funds from the Boy Scouts.

Autumn Sandeen of Pam's House Blendreacts: "It's more than just gay youth effected by discrimination policies of the Boy Scouts, but also lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and parents & guardians and Boy Scout leaders -- as well as non-theist and atheist parents & guardians and Boy Scout leaders."